UK Fire Training Regulatory Reform Order Summary

•Applies all workplaces and other non-domestic premises.
•New - One simple fire safety regime.
•Existing fire legislation deleted / amended.
•Risk assessment - based.
•Protection for persons inside building and anyone affected by a fire.
•Prevent fire starting •Prevent fire spread •Maintain fire precautions to protect Fire Brigade as required by Building Regs.

Legislation Repealed / Amended
•Fire Precautions Act 1971
•Fire Certification
•Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1997 + amendment Regs 1999
•Fire Certificate (Special Premises) Regs 1976
•Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regs 1996
•Approx 100 pieces of legislation amended or revoked

Application
•New regime will cover virtually all workplaces and places to which the public have access, but not domestic premises.
•Applies to self employed (but not where they work at home) and voluntary section e.g. Scout Hut

Responsible Person
•The Employer
•Person in overall management
•Occupier
•Owner (includes empty buildings)
•Landlords
•Contractors (e.g. Installing Engineers)
•Responsible for employees, anyone on premises plus anyone who may be affected by a fire.

Mitigation of Effects of Fire
Reasonable protection to people in vicinity of fire, as well as occupants.
Achieved by preventing fires starting or preventing fire spreading.
Reduce property damage
Reduce risks to fire fighters

Procedures for Serious & Imminent Danger & for Danger areas
•Establish procedures to follow.
•Nominate sufficient people to implement system e.g. Fire Marshals.
•Control access to any area where it is necessary to restrict access on safety grounds, unless individual received adequate instruction/training. e.g. Flammable area.

Fire Safety Management
•Appoint one or more competent persons to assist in compliance.
•Ensure adequacy of people, time, resources, access to information suitable.
•Suitable training, experience, knowledge to undertake task.
•Preference to employee than non-employee.

Enforcement
Based on principle :-Employer/Responsible Person has responsibility/ownership for fire safety of their premises and the people who use them.
Responsible Person will be expected to determine how to comply with the law.

Burden of Proof
As in H&S Law :-
It is for accused to prove that it was not practicable to do more than was in fact done

Staff Training
•On recruitment.
•New or increased risks.
•Transfer or changed responsibilities.
•New or amended work equipment.
•New technology.
•New or revised system of work
•Instruction & training on necessary precautions.
•Instruction & training on action to take to safeguard themselves and others.
•Repeated periodically.
•Take place during work hours.
•Be free to employee.

Civil Liability
If a breach of duty imposed on an employer, causes damage to an employee, a right of action will be conferred on employee.

Summary Points
•Legal duty to prevent fires.
•Legal duty to prevent fire spread.
•Ownership for fire safety on responsible person. - not Fire Service.
•Reduce impact on environment.
•Reduce property damage.
•Reduce dangers to fire fighters